Sign



J. P. BIGELOW May 3, 1932.

SIGN

Filed Jam 11, I932 WHEN I 27 WKEJRKFNQ Patented May 3, 1932 warren STATES PATENT @FFECE JOSEPH PRESCOTT BIGELOW, F LTJ'NENBURG, MASSACHUSETTS SIGN Application filed January 11, 1932. Serial No. 585,973.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a sign, adapted to be placed on or adjacent to a road-way, where men are working, although the device is adapted for other uses which will suggest themselves readily to a person reading this specification. The invention aims to provide a device of the class described which cannot be tipped over by the wind, the sign always keeping a vertical position, so that it can be 29 which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 shows, in vertical elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental longitudinal section showing a portion of the shaft structure;

Fig. 4 is a fra mental transverse section on the line 4-4 Grie a In carrying out the invention, there is provided a base, which as a whole, is marked by the letter B. The base B, comprises legs 1, arranged in pairs, the legs of each pair diverging, when the device is in use,'as shown in Fig. 1. At their lower ends, the legs 1 have out-turned feet 2, to promote stability. At

W hook-shaped parts 3 extend hinge-wise around tubular bushings 5 having outstanding flanges 6 at their ends, the flanges holding the hook-shaped parts 8 side by side, as Fig. 3 will show. The legs 1 of the pairs are connected by transverse braces 7. w I The letter S marks a support, which is a composite structure. The support S embodies horizontal shaft sections 9 having their inner ends-connected by a cross 10, the outer ends of the shaft sections 9 being mounted to rockin the tubularbushings 5. Endwise movement of the shaft 99 in the tubular bushings 5 is prevented by abutment collars 12 held on the shaft sections 9 by securing elements 14, the collars cooperating with the flanges 6 at the inner ends of the bushings 5, as Fig. 3 will show. Into the lower part of the cross 10 is threaded or secured otherwise, the downwardly extended nipple 15, on the lower end of which a cap 16 is threaded, the cap being provided with a hook l7 engaged detachably with an eye 18 on a weight 19. Into the upper part of the cross 10 is threaded a vertical standard 20, the upper end of the standard being threaded, or mounted otherwise, upon a head bar 21 atta ched by securing elements 22 to the bottom of a fork 23. The upper ends of the arms of the fork 23 are connected by a rod 24. Nuts 25 are threaded on the rod 24 and engage opposite sides of the arms of the fork 23. The fork 23 and the rod 24 form a loop shaped frame.

A depending sign S is provided, and preferably is made of metal, like the balance of thestructure. The sign S may be inscribed in any desired'way, as shown at 27. On its upper edge, the sign S has a tubular bearing 26 receiving the rod 24 loosely enough so that the sign can swing backward and forward through the fork 23.

In practical operation, when the device is set up as shown in Fig. 1, the weight 19 tends to keep the signs in a vertical position, so that it can be read without difficulty. If the wind is strong enough to swing the frame 2423 a little, against the action of the weight 19, the sign S will. still hang vertically, because it is suspended at its upper end,'pivotally, by the bearing 26 and the rod 24. Considered from a different standpoint, the shaft 9 can rotate sutficiently, and the sign S can swing sufficiently, from its upper end, so that the device presents no unyielding area to the wind, of suflicient. extent to tip the device over.

When the legs 1 are sprawled apart, as in Fig. 2, sufficiently to afford a firm support, the end of the hook-shaped part 3 on one leg 1 engages the shoulder 4 of the adjoining leg, as shown in Fig. 1, and prevents the legs from spreading apart further than shown in Fig. 2.. lVhen, however, it is desired to house the article in small compass, the legs 1 can be swung inwardly toward each other, until their combined thickness is little or no greater than the thickness of any other part of the structure. The hook-shaped parts 3 extend more than halfway around the hearing or bushing 5, and, therefore, have a good hold upon it, a hinged connection between the legs and the bushing being at the same time afforded. The general construction of the article is such that it vcan be made at small expense out of stock parts.

The bushing 5 has three OlfiCQS. It forms a hinged connection between the upper ends of the legs 1, it forms a bearing for the shaft 9, and because the inner flange 6 on the bushing is interposed between one of the parts 3 and the adjoining collar 12, there is formed, as shown in Fig. 3, an oiling crack 28, through which a lubricant may be introduced upon that part of the shaft 9 which turns in the hearing or bushing 5. V

In connection with the folding together of the legs 1, attention is directed to the dotted line showing at 29 in Fig. 4.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a sign board construction, a base, a support mounted to swing on the base with respect to a: horizontal axis, means for yieldably limiting the swinging movement of the support, a sign, and means for hingedly conmeeting the upper portion of the sign to the support,above said axis, for swinging movement about another horizontal axis.

2. In a sign board construction, a base, a support mounted to swing on the base with respect to a horizontal axis, a weight con nected to the support, below said axis, and constituting means for yieldably limiting the swinging movement of the support, a sign, and means for hingedly connecting the upper portion of the sign to the support, above said axis, for swinging movement about another horizontal axis.

3. In a sign board construction, a base embodying pairs of diverging legs, a tubular bushing joining the upper ends of the legs of each. pair together for hinged movement, braces connecting the legs of one pair with the legs of the other pair, a support including a horizontal shaft mounted to rock in the bushings, a sign carried by the support and disposed above the shaft, means connected with the support, below the shaft, for yieldably limiting the swinging movement of the support and the sign, and means for limiting J OSEPH PRESCOTT BIGELOW. 

